A particularly bad strain of chlamydia not usually seen in the U.S. is spreading among gay and bisexual men.
The strain, known as chlamydia LGV ( after the microbe lymphogranuloma venereum ) , has caused an outbreak in Europe. It is typically found in Africa and Southeast Asia. U.S. health officials confirm just 27 cases of the sexually transmitted disease, the AP/Washington Post reported.
The Chicago Department of Public Health ( CDPH ) has diagnosed one case of the rare strain, according to CDPH's Dr. Will Wong. Due to issues of confidentiality, Dr. Wong could not reveal many characteristics of the individual. 'I can say that the demographic of the person infected is similar to what is reported nationally,' he said.
The bulk of patients infected across the U.S. are HIV-infected men who have sex with men ( MSM ) .
Since the disease is very hard to diagnose, the numbers could be much higher, U.S. health officials predict. One reason is that LGV testing technology is not commercially available. Also, the symptoms of this strain differ from regular chlamydia by mimicking gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease. The rectal symptoms associated with chlamydia LGV could put those infected at greater risk of passing on or contracting HIV.
Wong said that CDPH has conducted several presentations and done outreach, such as educating clinicians and others at Howard Brown Health Center about what signs and symptoms to look for. In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control, CDPH has brought the diagnostic testing tools needed to Chicago.
Some symptoms of the strain are bloody diarrhea, chronic abdominal pains and rectal bleeding. However, many cases are asymptomatic. Those at great risk are MSM ( men who have sex with men ) who engage in unprotected anal sex.
Wong advises sexually active individuals to wear condoms and practice safer sex.